Ammunition feeding device



April 7, 1942. C E. GASKILL ET Al. 2,278,544

AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVIQE A Filed June 29, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 www?, 04 9 4Z 5l ATTORNEYS April `7, 1942. c. E. GAsKlLL ET AL 2,278,544

` AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICE Filed June 29,. 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Elgin.A u D@ Figi fg 252m ff lill/1111111 97 INVENTOR 5 C11. RE/vc: E Gn.Sx/1. L

BYHQRVEY d. HACK/wmv "Patented Apr. 7, i942.

2,278,544 .annunnr'rjron rename nevica Clarence E. Gasklll, Mason, andHarvey .F.'Hackman, Kings Mills, Ohio, assignors to Remington Arms(lonzipany,- Inc., a corporation of Del- Application June 29, 1940,Serial No. 343,142

18 Claims.

-shells is operated through direct contact 'of the individual shells, tothe end that such device is always in the correct position to give theproper sequence, whether the shot shells ow from the loaderintermittently or en masse. It is a further object to provide indexingmeans, which is in the form of a gravity-operated diverting lever,arranged to have relatively frictionless oscillatory movement into its.two operative positions through the weight and movement of theindividual shot shells dropping'into cooperative engagement therewith.

A further object is to provide, a mechanism whereby the shot shells maybe released in pairs in the event that there is any congestion on thetrack leading to the packaging apparatus, and

` which will continue to release the shot shells in pairs as long as thecongestion continues, without -the necessity forstopplngEthe iiow of theshot shells from the. loader. As a consequence the vshells through theindexing part of the device being shownin dot-and-dash lines, and theopen positionof the door normally closing the front of the shelldiverting passages being shown in dot-and-dash lines.

.Fig 2 isa fragmentary rear elevation of the upper section of thedevice. Fig. 3is a side elevation, the upper portion of the feedinghopper being broken away.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view, the lower portion of the feeding hopper beingshown in horizontalv section along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional-view taken along the staggered line5--5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the staggered line 6-6of Figf 1, and showing several of the shot shells in their positionsduring' normal passage through the machine. v

Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken along the line l-lof Fig. 6, the several I shot shells as shown in Fig. 6 being removedproper heads-tails sequence of the shells, with the brass endsalternately arranged in reversed relation, will be maintained. 1

Another object is to provide anindexing del vice which is capable ofadjustment to accomhowever.

Fig. 8 is a vfragmentary vertical sectional view showing the operationof the releasing mechanism during congestion of the passage of the shotshells on the track to the packaging apparatus.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral guresof the drawings.

Referringv to the drawings, the supporting frame of'the machine4consists of a pair of vertical standards Ill-II), provided at theirlower ends with` right angularly bent bases Il- II which may be suitablyanchored to the oor, and

' having supported for vertical adjustment upon their upper ends arectangular vertically disposed modate shot shells of varying diametersand i lengths, without any alteration or substitution in the parts, sothat one standardized type of machine ma'y be economically manufacturedin quantity and through proper adjustment the individual machines may beadapted for use in connection with loaders producing different sizes of`shot shells. Y

With the above and other objects in view, an embodiment of the inventionis shown in the accompanying drawings, and this embodiment will behereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and theinvention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In, the drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevation of an indexing device, according to theillustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention, the course of theshot 55 plate I3, secured to the standards by means of bolts I4 engagedthrough slots I5 in the standards and which permit of limited verticaladjustment of the plate relative to the standards.

At the upper end of the plate I3 thereA is se-- cured upon its rearwardface an angular bracket member I6, the vertical portion of which'issecured to the plate for limited vertical adjustment by means of boltsIl screwed into the plate Ill and engaged through slots I8 in thebracket, and the horizontal portion of which projects fore wardly inspaced relation-above the upper edge of the plate I3, where it isprovided with a ver-` tically disposed passage I9. Upon this horizontalportion of the bracket I6 there is mounted the shot shell feeding hopper20 having/at its lower end a pair of outwardly bent foot portions 2I-2Isecured tofthe bracket I6 by means of bolts 22--22. This hopperiscontracted at its lower tion of the machine. 32 are curved downwardlyand outwardly in di- 2 portion to provides. passage for the individualvertical gravity feeding of the shot shells A downwardly with theirbrass flanged ends A1 disposed downwardly, this being the arrangement inwhich they iiow from the loader. The upper enlarged portion of thehopper is curved into line with the downwardly linclined guidewayfeeding the is provided in centralized relation along the verticalcenter line of the plate a substantially circular block member 25,secured to the plate by screws 28-26, and in the front face ofwhichthere is provided a vertical slot 21 in' which a shot shells fromthe loader, this guideway. being' formedbyrods 23 secured at their lowerends .bearing bracket bar 2l is secured by. means of screws 23-28, theupper end of this bracket bar projecting above the upper end of theblock and being provided with a bearing 30 for the forward end of theshot shell diverting index lever member 3|. 'I'his index lever memberconsists of a vertically disposed upwardly projecting central arm 32arranged to be swungto and frofbetween its two operative positions asAshown by the fulland dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 1, to constitute therespective entrances tothe left and right passages through the shellreversing por- The side walls of the -arm verging relation and mergeinto the upper curved A surfaces of a pair oi' outwardly curved sidearms 33-33. The hubl, portion' of the index lever member 3| is securedto a horizontal shaft 34 by means of a set, screw 35, the forward end ofthis shaft being engaged for free turning'move'- ment in the bearing 30of the bracket bar 28, and

its rearward end extending through a bearing 36 in the plate I3, whereit is provided at the rearward side of the plate I3 with a segmentalmovement limiting and counterbalance member 31, the hub of fwhich issecured to the shaft by a cross pin 38. The oscillatory movement of thiscounterbalance member is limited by adjustable stop screws 39-39 mountedin a bracket bai" 40 secured to the rearward side of the plate I3 bymeans of screws 4|-4-I. Through vertical adjustment of the stop screws39-39 the extent of the oscillatory movement of the index levermember 3|may be regulated, as desired, this adjustment being mainly for thepurpose of accommodating the machine to various diameters of shotshells, increase or decrease in the extent of the swing of the upper endof the arm 32 increasing or decreasing the width ofthe entrances to theright and left shot shell diverting passages. The counterbalance member31 constitutes an over-center weight which retains the index levermember 3| in either of its operative positions by gravity, the levermember being moved to an over-center position through the weight andmovement oi the shot shells, as will presently more fully appear.

At each side of the index lever member 3|, and the block 25, there isprovided a wall member 42, the upper'portion of which is inclineddownwardly and outwardly in outwardly spaced relation to the levermember 3| and the lower portion of which is curved downwardly andinwardly in outwardly spaced relation to the block member 25. the uppervertical end portions I3-43 of these wall members being respectivelysecured as by welding, to angular brackets 44--44 mounted for horizontaladjustment upon the plate I3 b y means of bolts 45-45 Vengaging@oisas-Is 1nthe respective brackets, andthe lower' verticalend portions 41being similarly secured to angular brackets 48-48 mounted for horizontalad- 'having right and left shot shell diverting passages at therespective sides of the index lever -member 3| and block 25 throughwhich the shot shells ow downwardly from the hopper and pass alternatelythrough the rightv and left passages, as will presently be more fullyexplained.

y The passages through the indexing chamber are normally closed at thefront by means of an apertured frame` like door member 5|,substantiallycorresponding to the general shape of the passages, thisdoor member being hingedly mounted at one vertical edge by means of ahinge connection 52 supported upon an angular hinge bracket 53 secured,to the rearward side of the plate I3 by means of screws 54. At the othervertical edge the door member is provided with a catch handle 55releasably engaged by a springv catch member 56 secured to one side ofthe plate member I3 by means of screws 51. 'I'his door member is shownin dot-and-dash'lines in Fig. 1 in its open position to permit freeaccess to the passages. y 1

As the shot shells flow 'downwardly from the hopper they alternatelypass through the diverging right and left passages as indicated by thedot-and-dash lines. As shown in the illustration one shot shell ismoving downwardly through the right hand passage having first engagedthe index lever member 3| with the latter in the position shownindot-and-dash lines, causing this lever to swing in clockwise directionto the full line position through the weight and movement of the shotshell. -During this movement the lower flanged brass capped end A1 ofthe shot shell engages the upper end of the arm 32 and then movesdownwardly along the concavel'y curved surface to the lower end of thearm 33, the upper portion of the shot shell following in this movement.As the shot shell reaches the point where its weight overbalances theovercenter weight of the index lever member the latter swings from thedot-and-dash line position to the full line position, the shot shellcontinuing its movement downwardly around the block member 25 and beingguided by the side wall 42,

. so that its brass end is projected across the lower stantially aboutthe point of contact of the brass end of the shot shell with theshoulder portion 41 as a fulcrum, so that this shot shell has itsflanged brass end at the left. The following shot shell flowingdownwardly from the hopper moves downwardly through the left handpassage in the same manner, the index lever member 3| in its position asindicated in full lines constituting an entrance guide to this left handpassage. The brass capped end of this shot shell strikes the opposedright hand vertical shoulder portion 41, as indicated by the arrow, theshot shell swinging downwardly into horizontal position to drop throughthe exit end of the chamber with its flanged brass end at the right.This sequence continues as long as the shot shells flow from the loader.

Directly below an l extending forwardly from the exit end of theindexing chamber there is provided the part of the device which guidesthe alternately reversed shot shells to the track leading to thepackaging apparatus, and in which there is provided theover-flow'release means which in the event of an impedence in the normalflow of the shot'shells to the packaging apt paratus releasesthem inpairs so that upon resumption of the normal ow, the heads-tails sequenceof the shot shells is not interrupted.

fs partof the device consists of a fixed block mem fr 58, directly belowthe exit end of the indexing chauber, secured to the forward face of theplate I3 by means of bolts 599-59, the upper face of this block member'being inclined downwardly and forwardly and rounded at its foryard edge.The lower face of the block member 58 is also inclined forwardly anddownwardly but at a slightly smaller degree than the inclination of theupper face, and there is mounted upon the plate I8 below the blockmember 58 and in engagement with its lower face a pair of forwardlyprojecting block members 68-60 which are secured to the plate I3 forhorizontal adjustment by means of bolts 8I-8I a rewed into therespective block members 80-80 and engaged through horizontal slots62-62 in the plate I8. The block members GII- 60, as seen clearly inFig. '7, extend outwardly beyond the side edges of the `block member 58and are. respectively provided with downwardly offset recessed passages83-63 outwardly of the block member 58, these passages being for thepurpose of providing a freeway for the flanged brass ends A1 of the shotshells A, the intermediate cylindrical portions of the shot shellsrolling downwardly upon the inclined upper surface of the block members60-88 between the recessed passages 63C Upon each block member 60 thereis secured a side wall member 64 having at its inner face a bearingplate 65 for engagement by the anged brass ends of the shot shells. theside wall member and the plate member G5 being rigidly secured tothe-block member by a pair of bolts (i6-66. The side wall members 6I areof i1'- regular shape and extend above the block member 68 at theirrearward portions, their forward portions being of stepped formation toprovide bearing supports projecting forwardly of the forward ends of theblock members 60. The

bearing plates 65 are also of irregular shape,

their upper edges extending in parallel spaced relation along therecessed passages 63 and then extending downwardly and forwardly at -theforvelocity, so that as they roll down the inclined surfaces 'of theblocks 68 they are maintained in parallel and separated relation, eachgate as it clears one shell immediately dropping behind it so thatit isinterposed between this shell and the successive shell.

In forwardly spaced relation to the forward ends of the block members 80there are provided a pair of vertically disposed abutmentA plate membersI5-15 provided respectively with angular attaching bracket portions18--18 secured for horizontal adjustment upon the side wall members 64by means of screws 11-11 engaging slots 18-18 in the respective bracketportions, these abutment members constituting a forward wall for thevertical passage through which the shot shells drop downwardly as theyleave the forward edge of the block members 68. the bottom of thisvertical passage is a trap-door platform member y19 provided centrallyat its rearward edge with en upwardly projecting bearing ear80 engagedupon a transverse rock shaft 8I rotatably mounted in bearing passages 82formed in the block members 80, a head 83 being provided at one enddisposed at the outer side of one of the side wall members ,8l-and theother end being provided with an adjustable collar 84 ldisposed at theouter side. of the other side wall member 8l. The ear 80 is adjustablysecured upon the* shaft 8l by means of a set screw 85, and the collar 84is adjustably secured by means of a set screw 86, so that upon relativelateral adjustment of the side wall bearing members, to accommodate themachine to different lengths or sizesof shot shells, the platform may beproperly adjusted into centralized position between themlY Upon theouterend of the rock shaft 8l there is mounted the hub 81 of a screw threadedcoun'- ter-weight supporting shaft 88 projecting from the shaft in theopposite direction from the trapdoor platform member 19, the hub 81being seward end of the .block members G0 to follow the the side wallmembers 8l and beingr provided respectively at one end with heads 1I and1,2 and at the other endwith adjustable collars ,13 and 1I. These gatemembers, which normally hang vertically, are engaged by the shot shellsas they roll from the block member 58 along the block members 60, andthrough engagement with the cylindrical surfaces thereof tend tomaintain them in parallel relation and to retard their cured to theshaft by means of a set screw 89. A counter-weight 90 is adjustablyengaged upon the shaft 88, its adjusted position being xed by means oflock nuts 9I and 92. This counterweight normally, supports the trap doorplatform member 19 in its normal shell supporting posi-A tion. as shownin Fig. 6, which position is determined by a stop screw 93 adjustablymounted in an angular bracket 94 secured upon the standard Ill by meansof a bolt 95, the adjusted position of the screw 93 being iixed by meansof a lock nut 96.

The forward end of the trap door platform member 19 is normally disposedslightly above and adjacent the end of an inclined `traclrway consistingof a pair of angular supporting members 91--91 which are respectivelysecured to the inner sides of the forward end portions of the sidewallmembers 6B by means lof Aangular brackets 98 secured by bolts 99.Upon the upper surfaces of the track members 91 there are secured stripmembers IIlIl-Illll which are spaced from the side walls of the trackmembers to provide recessed passageways in which the flanged brass endsA1 of the shot shells move, the strip members supporting the cylindricalintermediate` portions of the shells.

Forwardly of the abutment wall member 15 there is provided a freelyswinging gate member IUI having its shaft |02 journaled for free rotarymovement in the side wall members 6l, the shaft being provided at oneend with a head |03 `and at its other end with an adjustable co1-Forming lar |94. This gate member controls the passage between the trapdoor platform member 19 and the inclined trackway to dispose the shotshells in parallel relation as they move from the platform member to thetrackway and to retard their velocity.

Aninclined chute consisting of a pair of angle iron members IE5-|05 issupported from the side wall members 64 by means of angular .bracketmembers |06| 06 which are secured by the same bolts 99 which secures thebracket members 98. The angle iron members |05 are respectively pro).vided with stripmembers IOT-|01 spaced from the side walls so as toprovide recessed passages for the flanged brass ends of the shot shells.This chute member has its upper end disposed beneath the trap doorplatform member 19 and is adapted to convey pairs of shells which arereleased by the trap door platform member, as will presently more fullyappear, to a suitable receptacle.

During the normal operation of the machine the shot shells roll alongthe inclined block members 58 and 60 in alternately reversed orheadstails sequence and in separated relation to each other, droppingfrom the end of the block member 60 upon the platform 19 and thencerolling onto the inclined track 91 which 'conveys them to the packagingapparatus. `The counterbalance 90 for the trap-door platform member 19is so adjusted that the` platform will support the weight of one shotshell but will not support the weight of two shot shells. Consequentlywhen there is an impedence in the flow of the shot shells along thetrackway for any cause, and which causes them to accumulate up to thegate 10|, as shown in Fig. 8, the next shot shell falling upon theplatform 19 is not permitted to roll clear of it on to the track beforeanother shot shell drops off the end of the block members 60, and thusthe combined weight of two shot shells is imposed upon the platformmemberoverbalancing the counterbalance 90 and causing the platformmember to open downwardly torelease the two shot shells. The trap doorplatform immediately closes as the released pair lof shot shells rollclear, and as long as the conwardly tothereby decrease or increase thewidth` of thel passages through the indexing chamber,

and upon completion of the adjustment are tightened to .secure thecollars and ear in their adjusted positions. The swing of the indexlever member 3| is also adjusted to decrease or increase the Width ofthe entrances to the right and left passages through the indexingchamber, as desired. The width of the vertical passage above thetrap-door platform member 19 may be adjusted to accommodate differentdiameter shot shells by loosening the screws 11-11 and horizontallyadjusting the wall members 15--15 forwardly or backwardly, as desired.

The form ofthe invention illustrated in'the drawing and described hereinis typical and illustrative only, and it is evident that the inventionis capable of embodiments in other forms, all falling within the scopeof the appended claims, which are to be broadly construed.

What is claimed is:

l. An indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells inslde-by-side heads-tails sequence, comprising a feeding hopper having adethe adjusted position being xed by tightening the bolts 45 and 49. Thepart of the device for guiding the shot shells to the `packagingappalivery end to feed said articles singly in end-toend arrangement, anindex chamber having side walls and an entrance end arranged to receivesaid articles from said hopper and an exit end adapted to deliver saidarticles, said chamber having left and right passages divergingoutwardly from said entrance end and converging inwardly toward saidexit end to arrange the articles in side-by-side heads-tails sequence,positive automatic index means in said chamber for alternately divertingsaid articles into said left and right passages, and guide meansarranged to receive said articles from said chamber in said side-by-sideheads-tails sequence.

2. An indexing device for disposing larticles such as shot shells inside-by-side heads-tails sequence, comprising a feeding hopper having alower delivery end to feed said articles singly in end-to-end verticalarrangement, an index chamber having side walls and an upper entranceend arranged to vreceive said articles vertically from said hopper and alower exit end adapted to dedelivery end to feed said articles singly inendto-end arrangement, an index chamber having side walls and anentrance end arranged to receive said articles from said hopper and anexit end adapted to deliver said articles, said chamber havingv left andright passages diverging outwardly from said entrance end and converginginwardly toward said exit end, index means in said chamber foralternately diverting said articles into said left and right passages,inclined track means arranged to receive said articles from said chamberin .side-by-side heads-tails y sequence, and la weight releasablearticle supporting means arranged between said chamberand said trackmeans, adapted to receive and support said articles singly in theirtransition to said track means, and being releasable upon the Y edthrough adjustment Y disposed arm is alternately moved impositionthereon of weight in excess of a. single article, whereby said articlesare released in pairs during impedance or the iiow of the articles onsaid track means.

4. In an indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells inside-by-side heads-tails sequence, an index chamber having side walls,an upper entrance end adapted to receive said articles vertically and asingle lower exit end adapted to deliver said articles horizontally,said chamber having left and right passages diverging downwardly fromsaid entrance end and converging inwardly toward said exit end, andindex means movably mounted in said chamber for to and iro movementrespectively to the right and leit of said entrance end to constitute anentrance guide respectively for said left and right passages. 5. In anindexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells inside-by-side heads-tails sequence, an index chamber having side walls,an upper entrance end adapted to receive said articles vertically andalower exit end adapted to deliver saidv articles horizontally, saidchamber having left and'right passages diverging downwardly from saidentrance end and converging inwardly toward said exit end, index meansmovably mounted in said chamber for to and fro movement respectivelysaid entrance end to constitute an entrance guide respectively for saidleft and right passages, and

adapted to be moved to and fro through the successive engagement .ofsaid articles therewith, and adjustable stop means arranged to limit theoscillatory movement of said index means, adaptto vary the extent ofmovement of said entrance guide.

6. In an indexing device for disposing articles to the right and leftof,

lil

such as shot shells in side-by-side heads-tails chamber having sidewalls,

' an upper entrance end adapted to receive said articles ve ically and asingle lower exit end adapted to Veliver said articles horizontally,said chamberdha'ving left and right passages diverging-downwardly fromsaid entrance end and con verging inwardly toward said exit end, anoscillatory index lever member mounted in said cham-- ber having v acentrally disposed arm portion adapted to be oscillated respectively tothe right and left of said entrance end to constitute an entrance guiderespectively for said lett and right passages, and having downwardlyextending diverging side arm portions adapted to be engaged by thearticles to impart oscillatory movement to said index lever member.whereby said centrally ,over center to the right and left through thesuccessive engagement of said articles with said respective side arms.

7. In an indexing device for disposing articles such, as shot shells inside-by-side` heads-.tails sequence, an

articlesvertically and a lower exit end adapted to deliver said articleshorizontally, said chamber having left and right passages 'divergingdownwardly from said entrance end and converging inwardlytoward saidexit end, the side wall at each side of said exit end constituting anabutment opposed to the lower` end of the passage respectively at theopposite side of said chamber, and index means movably mounted in saidchamber for to and iro movement respectively to the right and-left ofsaid entrance end tol constitute an entrance guide respectively for saidleft and index chamber having side walls@ lan upperv entrance endadapted to receive said right passages, and adapted to be moved to andfro through the successive engagement of said articles therewith.

8. In an indexing device for disposing articles -such as vshot shells inside-by-side heads-tails sequence, an index chamber having side walls,

`an upper entrance end adapted to receive said articles vertically and alower exit end adapted -to deliver said articles horizontally, saidchamber having left iand right passages diverging Ydownwardly from saidentrance end and converging inwardly toward said exit end, the side wallat each side of .said exit end constituting an abutment opposed to thelower end of the passage respectively at the opposite side of saidchamber, and index means movably mounted in said chamber for to and fromovement respectively to the right and left of said entrance end toconstitute an entrance guide respectively for said left and rightpassages, and adapted to be moved to and iro through the successiveengagement of said articles therewith, the article iiow lines from saidrespective passages to said opposed abutments being at acute angles tosaid horizontal exit end and intersecting each other at a pointcentrally above said .exit end.

9. In an indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells inside-by-side heads-tails sequence, an index chamber comprising avertical support member, a pair of laterally spaced side wall membersadiustably mounted on said support member for lateral adjustment towardand away from each other, the upper spaced ends of said side wallVmembers constituting an'upper entrance end adapted to receive saidarticles vertically and their lower spaced ends constituting a lowerexit end adapted to deliver said articles horizontally, said side wallmembers diverging downwardly from said entranceend and converginginwardly toward said exit end to provide left and right passages, anindex means movably mounted in said chamber for to and fro movementrespectively to the right and left of said entrance end to constitute anentrance guide respectively for said left and right passages.

10. In an indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells inside-by-side heads-tails sequence. an index chamber having side wallsand an upper entrance end shaped-to receive said articles vertically,said chamber having left and right passages diverging from said entranceend and converging inwardly toward said exit end, index means movablymounted in said chamber for to and fro movement respectively to theright and left of said entrance and to constitute an entrance guiderespectively for said left and right passages; and a movable closuremember removably engaged with the forward side of said index chamber andconstituting the front walls of said passages.

l1. In an indexing device for disposing articles such asv shot shells inside-by-side heads-tails sequence,'an index chamber having side walls,an

nreans disposed in the path of said articles moving thereon to beswingingly moved by said articles to permit their passage, said gatemeans being spaced to receivev a single article between them and wherebythe articles are maintained in spaced parallel relation during theirmovement along said guide means and their velocity is retarded.

12. In an indexing device for disposing articles.

an upper entrance end adapted to receive said articles vertically and alower exit end adapted to deliver saidarticles horizontally, index meanssaid articles in horizontal side-by-side heads-tails sequence,downwardly extending passage means l in communication at its upper endwith the end o1' said guide means to receive said articles singly,inclined track means communicating with the lower end of said downwardlyextending passage means arranged to receive said articles in sideby-sideheads-tails sequence, and inclined weight releasable article supportingmeans constituting the bottom ofA said downwardly extending passagemeans and arranged contiguous to said inclined track means adapted toreceive and support said articles singly in their transition to saidtrack means, and being releasable upon the imposition thereon 'of weightin excess of a single article whereby said articles are released inpairs during impedence of the iiow of the articles on said track means.

13. In an indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells inside-by-side headstails sequence, an index chamber having side walls, anupper entrance end adapted to receive said articles vertically and alower exit end adapted to deliver said articles horizontally,` indexmeans in said chamber adapted to alternately invert said articleswhereby they are delivered in horizontal side-by-side heads-tailssequence, inclined guide means arranged below said chamber to receivesaid articles in horizontal side-by-side heads-tails sequence,downwardly extending passage means in communication at its upper endwith the end of said guide' means to receive said articles singly,inclined track means communicating with the lower yend of saiddownwardly extending passage means arranged to receive said articles inside-by-side heads-tails sequence, and inclined weight releasablearticle in. said chamber adapted to alternately invert said articleswhereby they are delivered in horizontal side-by-side head-tailssequence, inclined guide means arranged below said chamber to receivesaid articles in horizontal side-by-side heads-tails sequence,downwardly extending passage means in communication at its upper endwith the end of said guide means to receive said articles singly,inclined track means communicating with the lower end of said downwardlyextending passage means arranged to receive said' articles inside-by-slde heads-tails sequence, horizontally adjustable wall meansopposed to the end of said guide means constituting the forward wall ofsaid downwardly extending passage means and adapted through adjustmentto vary the width of said passage means, and inclined weight releasablearticle supporting means constituting the bottom of said downwardlyextending passage means and arranged contiguous to said inclined trackmeans adapted to receive and support said articles singly in theirtransition to said track means,- and being releasable upon theimposition thereon of weight in excess of a single article whereby saidarticles are released in pairsduring impedance of the flow-of thearticles on said track means.

l5. In an indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells inside-by-side heads-tails sequence, an index chamber having side walls,l

an upper entrance end adapted to receive said articles vertically and alower exit end adapted to deliver said articles horizontally, indexmeans in said chamber adapted to alternately invert supporting meansconstituting the bottom of said downwardly extending passage means' andarranged contiguous to said inclined track means adapted to receive andvsupport said articles singly in their transition to said track means,and being releasable upon the imposition thereon of weight in excess ofa single article whereby said articles are released in pairs duringimpedance of the iiow of the articles on said track means, saidreleasable article supporting means comprising a horizontal rock-shaft,a platform member secured to said rock-shaft extending in one direction,an adjustable counterweight member secured to said rock-shaft extendingin the opposite direction, and adjustable stop means arranged to supportsaid counterweight member in a predetermined position.

14. In an indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells inside-by-side heads-tails sequence, an index chamber having side walls,

said articles whereby they are delivered in horizontal side-by-sidehead-tails sequence, inclined .guide means arranged below said chamberto receive said articles in horizontal side-by-side` heads-tailssequence, downwardly extending `passage means in communication at itsupper end with the end of said guide means to receive said articlessingly, linclined track `means communieating with the lower end of saiddownwardlyAA extending passage means arranged to receive said articlesin side-by-side heads-tails sequence, 'inclined weight releasablearticle supporting means constituting the bottom of said downwardlyextending passage means and arranged contiguous to said inclined trackmeans adapted to receive and support said articles singly in theirtransition to said track means, and being releasable upon the impositionthereon of weight in excess of a single article whereby said articlesare released in pairs during impedance of the ow of the articles on saidtrack means, and a freely swinging vertically disposed gate memberparallel to the width of said track .means disposed in ther path of saidarticles moving from'sald l weight releasable supporting means tosaid'track means to be swingingly moved by said articlesto permit theirpassage. y

' 16. In an indexing device lor disposing articles such as shot shellsin side-by-side heads-tails sequence, an index chamber having sidewalls, an upper entrance end adapted to receive said artireceive saidarticles vertically, and a lower exit end adapted to deliver saidarticles horizontally and in side-by-side heads-tails sequence, positiveautomatic index means in said chamber adapted to alternately divert saidarticles whereby they are delivered in horizontal side-by-sideheadstails sequence, inclined guide means arranged below said chamber toreceive said articles in horizontal side-b'y-side heads-tails sequencecom-A prising a pair of members, and means mounting said members on saidsupport for horizontal adjustment movement toward and away from eachother to vary the width of said guide means.

18. In an indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells inside-by-side heads-tails sequence, a vertically disposed supportingmember, index chamber means carried thereby having side walls, an upperentrance end adapted to receive said articles vertically, and a lowerexit end adapted to deliver said articles horizontally, in-

dex means in said chamber adapted to Valternately divert said articleswhereby they are delivered in horizontal side-by-side heads-tails se'-quence, inclined guide means arranged below said chamber to receive saidarticles in horizontai side-by-side heads-tails sequence comprising apair of members, means mounting said members u on said support forhorizontal adjustment move- 'z ment toward and away from. each other tovary the width of said guide means, a pair of side wall membersrespectively secured t'o the outer'sides of` said pair of guide membersextending forwardly from said guide members to provide downwardlyextending passage means at the for- Ward ends of said guide members,inclined track means comprising a pair of track members respectivelysecured` to the forward ends of said side wall members in forwardlyspaced and downwardly odset relation to the forward endsl of said guidemembers, and weight releasable article supporting meansl constitutingthe bottom -of said downwardly extending passage means, arrangedcontiguous to said track means adapted to receive and support saidarticles singly in their transition to said track means, and beingreleasable upon the imposition thereon ofweight in excess of a singlearticle whereby said articles are released in pairs during impedance ofthe flow of said articles on said trackl means.

CLARENCE E. GASKILL. HARVEY J, HacKMAN.

